Autoavaliação de aspectos respiratórios e vocais após uso do umidificador de traqueostomia em laringectomizados totais

Abstract

Introduction: A heat and moisture exchange device could modify respiratory and vocal conditions in patients who received a total laryngectomy. Purpose: To verify breathing and voice self-assessments before and after the use of a heat and moisture exchange device in patients who had received a total laryngectomy. Methods: The sample included 15 subjects of the Speech Therapy department of a cancer hospital; subjects included 1 woman and 14 men aged 49 to 76 years who had undergone a total laryngectomy. Patients completed a selfassessment questionnaire about breathing and voice before and after two weeks of use of a heat and moisture exchange device. Results: Thirteen individuals completed the study and reported improvement in cough, secretion accumulation, sleep, breathing, and esophageal voice after use of a heat and moisture exchange device. Conclusion: Patients who had received a total laryngectomy perceived improvements in breathing and voice after two weeks of the use of a heat and moisture exchange device, as measured by self-assessment.